My wedding and COVID-19, what are my options?

So, we can’t ignore the big elephant in the room any longer and I’m sure there are many people out there worrying how COVID-19 will affect their wedding. Which is why I thought it’s helpful to discuss options…

It’s ok to be concerned, I totally get it, but I want to assure you that I’m planning on attending all weddings in my diary and it’s business as usual. I won’t rock up wearing a bodysuit à la “Outbreak” and I’m still very excited to capture your family and friends celebrating you and your big day.

If ‘Rona hits me, I will of course arrange for a suitable photographer to cover your wedding day as I would in any other case of sickness as per your contract. We’re all really supportive as a community.

DOWNSCALE

At the time this is published, the government has limited the allowed number of guests from 30 to 15 for the next few months. If you wedding is a small affair of 15 or less people then all is good and you don’t need to worry. But if you planned on having more of your nearest and dearest or a 100+ wedding, and you still want to get married on your original date then downscaling is your only option.

You could contact those who aren’t the closest to you and say that you are making the day more intimate as a result of the pandemic, and would love to celebrate with them another time. Alternatively, put your cards on the table & ask people. It could be that many of your guests are wary of coming anyway, because of their or another family members age or ill health. Some may be worried about flying in. It’s entirely possible you could meet your target number with very few problems, and no one’s feelings will get hurt. You still get to have the brilliant day you’ve worked so hard on.

You could always have a big party with all the bells and whistles later when it’s safe to do so again. It might also take of some of the pressure of the planning and feeling like everything needs to be perfect.

POSTPONE

Should scaling back not work for you for whatever reason, then you should definitely check-in with your wedding insurance – ask them about how your coverage is affected if you move or postpone the day. 

Chat to your venue and other suppliers

My contract states you can transfer your wedding date to any time within 12 months as long as I’m still available, with no change in my service to you. Your other suppliers may have similar clauses. All this needs to be thought about before a decision is made.  I do ask however, that your change is ‘like for like’ – moving from an March wedding to a July one will likely not be possible. I also ask that where possible you avoid summer Saturdays – primarily because many of them were already booked before this happened, and the competition for them is high.  From my perspective,  I will be losing a date I could book an additional wedding in, and as such my earnings will take another hit after an already difficult year. I have decided not to charge an additional fee if you absolutely have to have a Saturday (and I do understand that), but it is something I am going to ask you to consider for the sake of all of the tiny businesses which will be making your day happen. 

Talk to your family & friends and ask them for advice

They may also be relieved at the idea of moving the date, but may also have some helpful ideas about what to do. 

Get a new plan in place

After finding the dates your suppliers/venue are free on, make a plan of how to confirm, communicate, and deal with your postponement. If you need my free dates, I will happily let you know what dates are still available/which ones are off the table.

LAST WORD OF ADVICE…

Overall, don’t give in and panic. The vast majority of people will have no problems at all, and it will be businesses as usual. This is for  unusual circumstances, and these are unusual, but in the grand history of humanity, nothing stopped people getting married & having a blast doing it. Your wedding is not any different. You will get married eventually and you will have the time of your lives. Please do keep in contact and let me help any way I can.  

- UPDATED ON 23/09/2020 -